control group

[ kuhn-trohl groop ]

noun

1. (in an experiment or clinical trial) a group of subjects closely resembling the treatment group in many demographic variables but not receiving the active medication or factor under study and thereby serving as a comparison group when treatment results are evaluated.

control group

noun

1. any group used as a control in a statistical experiment, esp a group of patients who receive either a placebo or a standard drug during an investigation of the effects of another drug on other patients

Word History and Origins

Origin of control group¹

First recorded in 1950–55

Example Sentences

A study in people with obesity found no difference in the weight loss observed between the matcha group and the control group.

From Salon

After their conversations, their affinity for the 15 common theories fell significantly more than it did for people in the control group.

From Los Angeles Times

Janet Carter, senior director of issues and appeals at the gun control group Everytown Law, said her group didn’t agree with all aspects of the decision, but still found it “heartening.”

From Los Angeles Times

By design it does not include a control group, which is what allows researchers to identify whether any changes they see are related to the variable they are studying.

From Los Angeles Times

FDA officials had suggested in 2016 that Lykos use an active compound for the control group to help mask whether participants had received MDMA.

From Salon